Live, Laugh, Smoke Cigars!

 Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf, USA
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Belicoso
Size: 6 ¼ Inches
Ring Gauge: 58
Release Date: April 2012
MSRP: $13.75/ single or $137.50/ box

The Tatuaje Exclusive Series Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva (Wet Pack) is the follow up release to the original Tatuaje Tobacco Plaza DD which was first released in March 2012. This was another Tatuaje single store release to commemorate Tobacco Plaza’s 40th year in business. This second release was launched on Danny “Double D” Ditkowich’s birthday, one of the partners at Tobacco Plaza of Great Neck, NY. It was released in 500, 10 count boxes/release (10,000 cigars total).

The second release, or the Reserva’s are unbanded and the box has a “Reserva” label across a corner of the box. This is the only way to distinguish the 2 different releases. Everything about both releases is the same except for one intricate step in the aging process. The Reserva’s have been “wet packed” in foil. Here is a brief description on the “wet packing” process:

The tobacco used to roll cigars, especially the wrapper, is moistened during the rolling process to make it supple and pliable in order to tightly wrap the wrapper around the cigar. Normally, the finished cigars are then put aside to dry out a bit & allow some of the excess moisture to evaporate. During this rest period some ammonia is released as part of the aging process and the tobacco is allowed to stabilize. This process is designed to allow the cigars to dry out & speed up the maturation process so they can be boxed and shipped reasonably quickly and be ready to smoke by the time they reach the consumer.

Wet-packing cigars is a process where these freshly rolled “wet” cigars are put directly into sealed foil packing. This retards the fermentation process to some degree and some suggest allows for longer term aging and a stronger more distinct flavor in the end product. Other opinions are that the process evolved out of necessity as some cigar manufacturers began to “wet” pack cigars in order to move them out of the aging rooms more quickly and make room for new product that they didn’t have the room for. The process actually originated in Cuba where they sometimes placed wet rolled cigars in burlap bags to slow the fermentation process.

Now let’s get down to the cigar. The “Double D” is a massive 6 ¼ x 58 Belicoso with a rich, oily, dark brown broadleaf wrapper. The first thing you notice when you pick up this cigar is its mass. The sheer weight of the cigar lets you know the tobacco is really packed in there. This Belicoso sports a closed or covered foot which reminds me of the Tatuaje TAA release from 2011. The wrapper has some veins present, firm when gently squeezed, and very toothy with flecks of gold that Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje, attributes to the high mineral content in the soil where the wrapper is grown.

The pre-light cold draw of the Double D offers up some sweet tobacco notes, tea leaves and earthiness which is to be expected from the broadleaf.

Immediately upon combustion the strength of the cigar attacks you. There is a slight bitterness that tells us this is still young, perhaps a result of the “wet packing”. There are very strong pure tobacco flavors of leather and earth. During the retro-hale, one can detect hints of pepper and woodiness. As the Double D warms up, nearing the end of the first third, cocoa takes center stage with a nutty almond like finish. The ash is holding firm and goes from medium gray at the foot to a beautiful light gray. The burn line is very even and clean.

Now entering the second third, the cigar has come together nicely. The flavor profile has melded together with cocoa leading the way with hints of dark roast coffee and nuts. The flavors are getting smoother and more prevalent with no pepper to be found. The draw is excellent with a nice thick billowy smoke. You still pick up the eathy flavors and the grittiness that you get from the wrapper, but every flavor is working in harmony. The ash held on for a little over two inches, nearing the end of the second third. The flavors and strength have definitely settled down. What started off like a “bat outta hell” is now a nice, smooth, rich, full bodied smoke, yet still on the lighter side of full bodied, and not nearly as strong as I was expecting it to be. The cigar has burned flawlessly thus far.

The final third of the Double D is now a tamed beast. What was once ferocious is no more. I am actually surprised how mellow this has become. There are only subtle undertones left of sweet tobacco with a dry nutty finish and the slightest bit of cedar. The burn has been excellent through out the whole smoke and required no touch ups.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed this cigar and find it to be one of the better single store releases from Tatuaje. One can’t help compare it to its sibling, the first release (banded version). The Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva starts off stronger and fresher with more pronounced in your face flavors, which seem to mellow out and fade as the cigar progresses while the first release starts off slower and takes longer for the flavors and strength to develop. I was anticipating the Reserva to be the stronger of the 2 releases, but it was actually much milder. By no means is this a mild cigar. For me it starts off a very strong full, gradually falling into a light full to the higher end of medium. They are very box purchase worthy. The strength and complexity are there and should only get better with age and appeal to a broader range of smokers.

Final Smoking Time: Just under 2 hours

Score: 90

The Tatuaje Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva (Wet Pack)
Can be purchased by visiting:
http://tobaccoplaza.myshopify.com/index.html or by calling (516) 829-7134

Reviewed by Ian Goldbaum, follow him on twitter @MrFrancophileNY …Rate this review.